emy who sowed the
tares, let him read the testimony of the most devoted and learned cardinal
whom Rome has ever had, Baronius, Annals, Anno 900:

"It is evident that one can scarcely believe what unworthy, base, execrable
and abominable things the holy Apostolical See, which is the pivot upon
which the whole Catholic Church revolves, was forced to endure, when
princes of the age, though Christians, arrogated to themselves the election
of the Roman Pontiffs. Alas, the shame! alas, the grief! What monsters,
horrible to behold, were then intruded on the Holy See! What evils ensued!
What tragedies they perpatrated! With what pollutions was this See, though
itself without spot, then stained! With what corruptions infected! _With
what filthiness defiled! And by these things blackened with perpetual
infamy!_ (Baronius, Annals, Anno 900.)

"Est plane, ut vix aliquis credat, immo, nec vix quidem sit crediturus,
nisi suis inspiciat ipse oculis, manibusque contractat, quam indigna,
quamque turpia, atque deformia, execranda, insuper et abominanda sit coacta
pati sacrosancta apostolica sedes, in cujus cardine universa Ecclesia
catholica vertitur, cum principes saeculi hujus, quantumlibet christiani,
hac tamen ex parte dicendi tyranni saevissimi, arrogaverunt sibi tirannice
electionem Romanorum pontificum. Quot tunc ab eis, proh pudor! proh dolor!
in eandem sedem, angelis reverandam, visu horrenda intrusa sunt monstra!
Quot ex eis oborta sunt mala, consummatae tragediae! Quibus tunc ipsam sine
macula et sine ruga contigit aspergi sordibus, putoribus infici, quinati
spurcitiis, ex hisque perpetua infamia denigrari!"

* * * * *

CHAPTER X.

GOD COMPELS THE CHURCH OF ROME TO CONFESS THE ABOMINATIONS OF AURICULAR
CONFESSION.

* * * * *

Romish priests will resort to various means in order to deceive the people
on the immorality resulting from auricular confession. One of their
favorite stratagems is to quote some disconnected passages from
theologians, recommending caution on the part of the priest in questioning
his penitents on delicate subjects, should he see or apprehend any danger
for the latter of being shocked by his questions. True, there are such
prudent theologians, who seem to realize more than others the real danger
for the priest in confession. But those wise counsellors resemble very much
a father who would allow his child to put his fingers in the fire wh